Hannah Rankin is set to headline the Hydro, after selling out Braehead Arena for her world title defence.
The Luss fighter, 31, was due to defend her IBO and WBA world titles against Mexican Alejandra Ayala next month at the Braehead Arena. However tickets for the bout quickly sold out, with promoters Fightzone revealing last week that they could’ve sold them twice over.
As a result Hannah’s defence has been moved to Friday, May 13 at the Hydro in Glasgow, where she commentated on Josh Taylor’s controversial victory over Jack Catterall last month.
Speaking as the news was announced, Hannah said: “I’m so excited about this. I cannot wait to be defending my titles in front of a home crowd. It’s a dream come true. I have to say a massive thank you to everyone who has managed to pull this together. It’s a huge opportunity for me.
“I was doing the commentary for Josh Taylor’s fight in the Hydro earlier this year and knew I wanted to fight there. It’s an amazing place with an amazing atmosphere.
“I was excited about fighting at Braehead because some great boxers have fought there before me. But when I was told we’d push the fight back a couple of weeks I wasn’t too cheerful.
“Then I found out it was going to be at the Hydro and all was forgiven. It’s going to be epic.
“The date change means Alejandra has two weeks longer to prepare but that doesn’t matter to me. She can have as many weeks as she wants but she won’t be taking my belts away from me at home in front of my Scottish fans.”
And she added that she was proud to be a role model for young Scottish boxers – and women in the sport.
She continued: “For me, flying the flag for Scottish boxing is so important. But for a female in the sport to be headlining a massive show like this with an amazing undercard is special.
“I intend to bring lots of big nights of boxing to Scotland.”
Hannah’s promoter Dennis Hobson added: “Hannah is a great fighter and I’m delighted that since she joined Fight Academy we’ve helped her to become a world champion again.
“She’s the perfect role model for any athlete and it just shows how popular she is, and how much the women’s fight game is thriving, that we’ve had to move her first defence to a bigger venue.”
Tickets for the bout go on general sale on April 1 via Ticketmaster or by calling 01142 434 443. It will also be able to stream on Fightzone.tv.
